matclone

Big, do not move to Japan, for you might get "measured".

What does anyone think of Japan's campaign. Should/could the U.S. do something similar?

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/13/wo...o_interstitial

[excerpt] Under a national law that came into effect two months ago, companies and local governments must now measure the waistlines of Japanese people between the ages of 40 and 74 as part of their annual checkups. That represents more than 56 million waistlines, or about 44 percent of the entire population.

Those exceeding government limits — 33.5 inches for men and 35.4 inches for women, which are identical to thresholds established in 2005 for Japan by the International Diabetes Federation as an easy guideline for identifying health risks — and having a weight-related ailment will be given dieting guidance if after three months they do not lose weight. If necessary, those people will be steered toward further re-education after six more months.

Big

Americans never told Japan about this problem in 1945. Ha Ha Ha

Chance174

I do not think that the US should do anything similiar to this. People getting their waists measured by the government! The government already has too much control over our lives.

Tight-Waist

When you give the goverment the power to run the healthcare in this nation, this is exactly the kind of power they assume with it.

matclone

It sounds like they all get annual check ups and if you're over the line so to speak, they are offered education. That scares the hell out of me (Not)

Big

Even doctors smoke. So, education will not stop "the willing".

ISU2008

Those exceeding government limits — 33.5 inches for men and 35.4 inches for women, which are identical to thresholds established in 2005 for Japan by the International Diabetes Federation as an easy guideline for identifying health risks — and having a weight-related ailment will be given dieting guidance if after three months they do not lose weight. If necessary, those people will be steered toward further re-education after six more months.

Re-education? Sounds a hell of a lot like 1984 to me.

__________________
[Wrestling] did nothing for comedy except for when I slammed people and thought it was funny. -Gerald Harris

Cyclone85

Interesting. Various legislatures around the country have recently enacted some new rules that would permit insurance carriers additional rating flexibility for 'small groups' that adopt wellness programs, i.e., weight reduction programs, smoking cessation, etc. Previous rating laws never permitted such flexibility. The idea is to encourage people to stop smoking and lose weight so their rates could be reduced.

I believe this country has a serious weight problem...from the rich down to the poor; across all party lines, religions, and races. Obesity causes very serious health problems from cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. The frequency and severity of claims are sky-high, which is partly the reason health insurance premiums are so high. It would be nice to be able to motivate people to get healthy by losing weight and throwing the cigs aways. Unfortunately, I don't know how this is accomplished unless there is some sort of a penalty.

I wish I could find the URL, but I seem to remember that England was considering something even more radical. They were thinking about reducing welfare benefits for smokers and the obese since the cost to society is so great. I don't know where it stands today, but I see this as a trend of where it might be headed.

I'm still debating the issue myself.

Tight-Waist

Its just another way to raise taxes by politicians who are troo cowardly to try to do so through the electorate.